Glucopyranosides conjugates of 2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-amin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-5-ols

ABSTRACT

This invention provides tissue selective estrogens of formula I having the structure                    
     wherein: 
     R 1  and R 2  are independently, hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6 carbon atoms, benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, benzoyl,                    
     X is hydrogen, alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, CN, halogen, trifluoromethyl, or thioalkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms; 
     n=1-3; 
     with the proviso that at least one of R 1  or R 2  are not hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6 carbon atoms, benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, or benzoyl; 
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/240,942, which was converted from U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/394,240, filed Sep. 13, 1999, pursuant to a petition filed under 37C.F.R. 1.53(c)(2)(i).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides glucopyranosides conjugates of2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-amin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-5-olswhich are useful as tissue elective estrogenic agents.

The use of hormone replacement therapy for bone loss prevention inpost-menopausal women is well precedented. The normal protocol calls forestrogen supplementation using such formulations containing estrone,estriol, ethynyl estradiol or conjugated estrogens isolated from naturalsources (i.e., PREMARIN; conjugated equine estrogens). In some patients,therapy may be contraindicated due to the proliferative effects ofunopposed estrogens (estrogens not given in combination with progestins)have on uterine tissue. This proliferation is associated with increasedrisk for endometriosis and/or endometrial cancer. The effects ofunopposed estrogens on breast tissue are less clear, but are of someconcern. The need for estrogens which can maintain the bone sparingeffect while minimizing the proliferative effects in the uterus andbreast is evident. Certain nonsteroidal antiestrogens have been shown tomaintain bone mass in the ovariectomized rat model as well as in humanclinical trials. Tamoxifen (sold as NOVALDEX, tamoxifen citrate), forexample, is a useful palliative for the treatment of breast cancer andhas been demonstrated to exert an estrogen agonist-like effect on thebone, in humans. However, it is also a partial agonist in the uterus andthis is cause for some concern. EVISTA (raloxifene), a benzothiopheneantiestrogen, has been shown to stimulate uterine growth in theovariectomized rat to a lesser extent than Tamoxifen while maintainingthe ability to spare bone. A useful review of tissue selective estrogensis seen in the article “Tissue-Selective Actions Of Estrogen Analogs”,Bone Vol. 17, No. 4, October 1995, 181S-190S.

The use of indoles as estrogen antagonists has been reported by VonAngerer, See, J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 2635-2640; J. Med. Chem. 1987, 30,131-136. Also see Ger. Offen., DE 3821148 A1 891228 and WO 96/03375.

WO A 95 17383 (Kar Bio AB) describes indole antiestrogens with longstraight chains. Another related patent WO A 93 10741 describes5-hydroxyindole with a generic descriptor incorporating other sidechains. WO 93/23374 (Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Japan) describes compoundswhich differ from the present invention; where OR₂ in the presentformula I, below, is defined as thioalkyl and the reference discloses nosuch compounds having chains from the indole nitrogen having the samestructure as the ones provided by the present invention. Where the sidechain claimed is similar to that described herein, the compounds areamides: Acylated indoles are not claimed in the present invention.Glucuronic acid conjugates of the selective estrogen receptor modulatorraloxifene (a benzothiophene) have been reported (EP 683170 A1 951122).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds of Formula I having the structure

wherein:

R₁ and R₂ are independently, hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6 carbon atoms,benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, benzoyl,

X is hydrogen, alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, CN, halogen, trifluoromethyl,or thioalkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms;

n=1-3;

with the proviso that at least one of R₁ or R₂ are not hydrogen, alkylchain of 1-6 carbon atoms, benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, or benzoyl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which are useful as tissueselective estrogens.

The alkyl moiety of the phenol ether substituent include both straightchain as well as branched moieties. Halogen means bromine, chlorine,fluorine, and iodine.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts formed from theaddition reaction with either inorganic or organic acids. Inorganicacids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid,sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and nitric acid are useful. Organic acidssuch as acetic acid, propionic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, malicacid, tartaric acid, phthalic acid, succinic acid, methanesulfonic acid,toluenesulfonic acid, napthalenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid andbenzenesulfonic acid are also useful. The pharmaceutically acceptablesalts of this invention also include quaternary ammonium salts which canbe prepared by quaternizing the basic amine of the compounds of thisinvention with an electrophilic organic halide, mesylate, tosylate, andthe like. Compounds of this invention which contain a carboxylic acidmay form pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts by treating theneutral starting material with a suitable inorganic base such ashydoxides or carbonates of alkali metals such as lithium, sodium,potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium or barium. Or, the acid may betreated with an organic base (such as various organic primary (includingammonia), secondary or tertiary amines) to form the ammonium salts.

The compounds of this invention can be synthesized according to thegeneric methods shown in Scheme 1. The orthogonally protected indole isformed by a modified Bischler protocol wherein the α-bromo-4-pivaloylprotected hydroxypropiophenone or acetophenone 1 is reacted with4-benzyloxyaniline in DMF in the presence of triethylamine. The reactionis monitored by TLC for consumption of starting materials. The anilinesubstituted material does not need to be isolated but instead, in thesame flask, treated with an additional 1.25-1.5 equivalents of4-benzyloxyaniline hydrochloride and heated to 120-160° C. until theprevious intermediate is completely consumed. The protected indole 2 issubsequently treated with a suitable base such as sodium hydride in DMFand then reacted with an appropriate benzyl chloride of type 3. Theindole 4 can then be mono-deprotected by either hydrogenating the benzylgroup off at the 5-position of the indole or hydrolyzing the pivaloylgroup at the 4′-position of the 2-phenyl group of the indole. The groupremoved is determined by the position of the glucuronic acid conjugatedesired. The removal of the benzyl group or the pivaloyl ester renderscompounds of either type 5 or 6, respectively. Reaction of compound 5 or6 with the trichloroacetimidate CAS# [150607-95-7] of the protectedglucopyranoside in the presence of BF₃ etherate in a polar aproticsolvent such as dichloromethane results in the glucopyranisodatedcompounds 7 or 8. We have found that the reaction of either 7 or 8 withthe trichloroacetimidate supra in CH₂Cl₂ using 3 Å molecular sievesallowed for the synthesis of the glucopyranosides in very good yield.The compounds are exclusively formed as the β-glucopyranosides(equatorial substituted). The pivaloylated compound 7 can be thentreated with LiOH in THF/H₂O/MeOH (or dioxane/MeOH/H₂O) to effect thecomplete deprotection of the compound, to give after workup, themonoglucuronic acid 9. The mono-benzyl ether 8 can be hydrogenated byhydrogen transfer between cyclohexadiene and Pd/C and then hydrolyzed byLiOH in THF/H₂O/MeOH (or dioxane/MeOH/H₂O) to yield the mono glucuronicacid 10. More preferable for larger scale hydrogenations are theconditions using a 10% Pd/C catalyst, H₂ and a solvent system consistingof THF/EtOH.

Compounds wherein both phenols are glucuronidated can be preparedaccording to Scheme 2. The bis-benzyl protected indole 12 is prepared bya modified Bischler reaction analogously to that described for indole 2in scheme 1. The indole can then be subsequently alkylated with the sidechain 3 (same as shown in scheme 1). The substituted indole 13 can thenbe deprotected by hydrogenation of the benzyl ethers to form thedeprotected compound 14. The deprotected compound is thenbis-glucuronidated by treatment of the free phenolic containing compoundwith the trichloroacetimidate of the protected glucopyranoside CAS#[150607-95-7] (same reagent used as in scheme 1) to afford 15. The finaldeprotected bis-glucuronic acid is obtained by base hydrolysis ofprecursor 15 to afford product 16. The side chains can be prepared inthe general fashion shown in Scheme 3.

Estrogen antagonist activity was shown for representative compounds ofthis invention in a standard pharmacological test procedure using MCF-7cells transfected with an estrogen receptor. When administered orally,the compounds of this invention act at least partially as prodrugs forthe corresponding hydroxylated compounds disclosed in EP 802183.Accordingly, the compounds of this invention are tissue selectiveestrogens, meaning that in certain tissue containing estrogen receptors,the compounds will act as estrogen agonists, and in other tissuecontaining estrogen receptors, the compounds will act as antagonists.The procedure used to demonstrate the estrogen antagonist activity inMCF-7 carcinoma cells is briefly summarized below, and the resultsobtained are provided in Table 1.

Cell Preparation: MCF-7 cells were passaged twice a week with growthmedium [D-MEM/F-12 medium containing 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated fetalbovine serum, 1% (v/v) Penicillin-Streptomycin, and 2 mM glutaMax-1].The cells were maintained in vented flasks at 37° C. inside a 5% C)2/95%humidified air incubator. One day prior to treatment, the cells wereplated with growth medium at 25,000/well into 96 well plates andincubated at 37° C. overnight.

Test Procedure Conditions: The cells were infected for 2 h at 37° C.with 50 uL/well of a 1:10 dilution of adenovirus 5-ERE-tk-luciferase inexperimental medium [phenol red-free D-MEM/F-12 medium containing 10%(v/v) heat-inactivated charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum, 1%(v/v)Penicillin-Streptomycin, 2 mM gluta-Max-1, 1 mM sodium pyruvate]. Thewells were washed once with 150 uL of experimental medium. Finally, thecells were treated for 24 h at 37° C. in replicates of 8 wells/treatmentwith 150 uL/well of vehicle (< or equal to 0.1% v/v DMSO) or compoundthat was diluted > or equal to 1000 fold into experimental medium.

Dose response experiments were performed in either the agonist orantagonist modes on active compounds in log increases from 10⁻¹⁴ to 10⁻⁵M. From these dose-response curves, EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values, respectively,were generated. The final well in each treatment group contains 5 uL of3×10⁻⁵ ICI-182,780 (10⁻⁶ M final concentration) as an ER antagonistcontrol.

After treatment the cells were lysed on a shaker for 15 min with 25uL/well of 1× cell culture lysis reagent (Promega Corporation). The celllysates (20 uL) were transferred to a 96 well luminometer plate, andluciferase activity was measured in a MicroLumat LB 96 P luminometer (EGand G Bethold) using 100 uL/well of luciferase substrate (PromegaCorporation). Prior to the injection of the substrate, a 1 secondbackground measurement was made for each well. Following the injectionof the substrate, luciferase activity was measured for 10 seconds aftera 1 second delay. The data were transferred from the luminometer to aMacintosh personal computer and analyzed using the JMP software (SASinstitute); this program subtracts the background reading from theluciferase measurement for each well and then determine the mean andstandard deviation of each treatment.

Analysis of Results: The luciferase data were transformed by logarithms,and the Huber M-estimator was used to down-weight the outlyingtransformed observations. The JMP software was used to analyze thetransformed and weighted data for one-way ANOVA (Dunnet's test). Thecompound treatments were compared to the vehicle control results (0.1 nM17β-estradiol) in the antagonist mode. For the initial single doseexperiment, if the compound treatment results were significantlydifferent from the appropriate control (p<0.05), then the results werereported as the percent relative to the 17β-estradiol control [i.e.,((compound-vehicle control)/(17β-estradiol control—vehiclecontrol))×100]. The JMP software was also used to determine the EC₅₀and/or IC₅₀ values from the non-linear dose-response curves.

The mono-glucuronic acid conjugates were tested in the MCF-7 assay inboth the agonist as well as the antagonist (co-dosed with 10 pM17β-estradiol) modes. All four compounds tested showed antiestrogenicactivity in this cell system and none of the compounds showedsignificant agonist activity in these cells. This is a desirable outcomesince the MCF-7 cell line is derived from human mammary tissue and theseresults indicate that the compounds were counteracting the proliferativeeffects of estrogen activity in these cells. This also is a positiveindication in that these compounds are showing cell permeability andreceptor binding affinity (since the MCF-7 cells express estrogenreceptors). The data for the compounds is shown in Table 1 infra.

TABLE 1 Compound # MCF-7 IC₅₀ 29 (Scheme 5) 230 nM 30 (Scheme 5) 210 nM37 (Scheme 6) 1200 nM 38 (Scheme 6) 1100 nM

As stated above, the compounds of this invention are tissue selectiveestrogens: acting as estrogen agonists on certain tissue, andantagonists on other tissue. In particular, the compounds of thisinvention act as estrogen receptor agonists in providing protectionagainst osteoporisis, lowering lipid levels, and increasing HDL levels.The compounds of this invention act as estrogen receptor antagonists ininhibiting uterine growth (as a potential side effect from theadministration of estrogenic compounds), provide protection againstbreast cancer, provide contraception, inhibit dementias, and providecognition enhancement.

Accordingly, the compounds of this invention are useful in treatingcertain conditions resulting from estrogen deficiency, such as bone lossor osteoporosis which may have resulted from an imbalance in anindividual's formation of new bone tissues and the resorption of oldertissues, leading to a net loss of bone. Bone depletion results in arange of individuals, particularly in post-menopausal women, women whohave undergone bilateral oophorectomy, those receiving or who havereceived extended corticosteroid therapies, those experiencing gonadaldysgenesis, and those suffering from Cushing's syndrome. These compoundsmay also address individuals with special needs for bone, includingteeth and oral bone, replacement, bone fractures, defective bonestructures, individuals having bone-related surgeries and/or theimplantation of prosthesis. In addition to those problems describedabove, these compounds can be used in treatments for osteoarthritis,hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, Paget's disease, osteomalacia,osteohalisteresis, multiple myeloma and other forms of cancer havingdeleterious effects on bone tissues. Other conditions resulting fromestrogen deficiency which can be treated with compounds of thisinvention include prostatic hypertrophy, vaginal and skin atrophy, acne,cardiovascular disease, contraception in pre-menopausal women, as wellas hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women or in otherestrogen deficiency states where estrogen supplementation would bebeneficial.

As the compounds of this invention also act as estrogen antagonists incertain tissue, they are useful in providing antiestrogen therapy,particularly in treating male pattern baldness, dysfunctional uterinebleeding, endometrial polyps, benign breast disease, uterine leiomyomas,adenomyosis, in treating neoplasms such as ovarian cancer, breastcancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma, prostrate cancer, cancers of thecolon, and CNS cancers, in treating endometriosis, polycystic ovarysyndrome, infertility Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline and otherCNS disorders, and in providing contraception. The compounds of thisinvention are also useful in treating disease states where amenorrhea isadvantageous, such as leukemia, endometrial ablations, chronic renal orhepatic disease or coagulation diseases or disorders.

Additionally, compounds 27, 28, 33, and 34 are intermediates useful inthe preparation of compounds 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, and 38 as shown inSchemes 5 and 6 (below).

Effective administration of these compounds may be given at a dose offrom about 0.1 mg/day to about 1,000 mg/day. Preferably, administrationwill be from about 10 mg/day to about 600 mg/day, more preferably fromabout 50 mg/day to about 600 mg/day, in a single dose or in two or moredivided doses. Such doses may be administered in any manner useful indirecting the active compounds herein to the recipient's bloodstream,including orally, via implants, parenterally (including intravenous,intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injections), rectally, vaginally, andtransdermally. For the purposes of this disclosure, transdermaladministrations are understood to include all administrations across thesurface of the body and the inner linings of bodily passages includingepithelial and mucosal tissues. Such administrations may be carried outusing the present compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, in lotions, creams, foams, patches, suspensions, solutions, andsuppositories (rectal and vaginal).

Oral formulations containing the active compounds of this invention maycomprise any conventionally used oral forms, including tablets,capsules, buccal forms, troches, lozenges and oral liquids, assuspensions or solutions. Capsules may contain mixtures of the activecompound(s) with inert fillers and/or diluents such as thepharmaceutically acceptable starches (e.g. corn, potato or tapiocastarch), sugars, artificial sweetening agents, powdered celluloses, suchas crystalline and microcrystalline celluloses, flours, gelatins, gums,etc. Useful tablet formulations may be made by conventional compression,wet granulation or dry granulation methods and utilize pharmaceuticallyacceptable diluents, binding agents, lubricants, disintegrants,suspending or stabilizing agents, including, but not limited to,magnesium stearate, stearic acid, talc, sodium lauryl sulfate,microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose calcium,polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin, alginic acid, acacia gum, , xanthan gum,sodium citrate, complex silicates, calcium carbonate, glycine, dextrin,sucrose, sorbitol, dicalcium phosphate, calcium: sulfate, lactose,kaolin, mannitol, sodium chloride, talc, dry starches and powderedsugar. Oral formulations herein may utilize standard delay or timerelease formulations to alter the absorption of the active compound(s).Suppository formulations may be made from traditional materials,including cocoa butter, with or without the addition of waxes to alterthe suppository's melting point, and glycerin. Water soluble suppositorybases, such as polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights, mayalso be used.

It is understood that the dosage, regimen and mode of administration ofthese compounds will vary according to the malady, the individual beingtreated, and subject to the judgement of the medical practitionerinvolved. It is preferred that the administration of one or more of thecompounds herein begin at a low dose and be increased until the desiredeffects are achieved.

The following procedures describe the preparation of representativeexamples of this invention.

All reactions were carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere.Chromatography was performed using 230-400 mesh silica gel. Thin layerchromatography was performed with silica gel plates. ¹H NMR spectra wereobtained on a Bruker AM-400, GE QE 300, Bruker DPX-300 or DPX-301instrument and chemical shifts reported in ppm. Melting points weredetermined on a Thomas-Hoover apparatus and are uncorrected. IR spectrawere recorded on a Perkin-Elmer diffraction grating, Mattson 5020FT-IRor Perkin-Elmer 784 spectrophotometers. Mass spectra were recorded on aKratos MS 50 or Finnigan 8230 mass spectrometers. LC/MS were preformedon a Micromass system, Model Platform LC with a HP 1100 LC system and aDiode Array detector. The column used was a 2.0×50 mm C18 3 μm column.The mobile phase used were as followed: A=950 (10 mM NH₄OAc): 50(CH₃CN); B=50 (10 mM NH₄OAc):950 (CH₃CN). The gradient used is asfollowed, t=0, 100% A, 0% B; t=15, 0% A, 100% B. BPLC were recorded on aWaters 60F Pump HPLC system with a 4.6 mm×15 cm LUNA 3 μm, C18 columnand a 996 Diode Array detector (at 300 nm or 220 nm). Flow=1.0 mL/min.Temp=30° C. The mobile phase used were as followed: A=950 H₂O:50 CH₃CN,20 mM K₂HPO₄/H₃PO₄; B=300 H₂O:700 CH₃CN, 20 mM K₂HPO₄/H₃PO₄. Thegradient used is as followed, t=0, 100% B, 0% C; t=55, 0% B, 100% C.Elemental analyses were obtained with a Perkin-Elmer 2400 elementalanalyzer. Compounds for which CHN are reported are within 0.4% of thetheoretical value for the formula given unless expressed otherwise.

The following compounds [Examples 1-3] were prepared according to Scheme4 as shown below.

EXAMPLE 1

Formation of Tetraacetylglucuronic Ester B

To a suspension of D-Glucuronolactone A (100 g, 56.8 mmol, availablefrom Aldrich Chemical) in MeOH (750 mL) was added NaOH pellets (0.4 g,0.01 mmol) under Ar. The suspension slowly turned to a clear yellowsolution over 2 h of stirring. After 16 h, the reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo to give a brown foam. The crude product wasdissolved in pyridine (200 mL), cooled in an ice-bath before aceticanhydride (375 mL) was added in 50-mL portions. The reaction turned darkbrown during addition. After addition, the reaction mixture was purgedwith Ar and stored in the refrigerator. After 36 h, a brownishprecipitate formed on the bottom of the flask. The reaction mixture wasfiltered and washed with warm EtOH (100 mL), air-dried overnight to giveB 78.5 g, 37% of an off-white solid: R_(f)=0.65 (EtOAc); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃)5.77 (d, 1H, J=7.7 Hz), 5.12-5.35 (m, 3H), 4.18 (d, 1H, J=9.3 Hz), 3.75(s, 3H), 2.04-2.12 (m, 12H).

EXAMPLE 2

Formation of Hydroxyglucuronic Ester C

To a solution of tetraacetylglucuronic ester B in DMF (90 mL) was addedsolid hydrazine acetate (3 g, 32.6 mmol) at rt under Ar. The suspensionwas heated to 65° C. under Ar. After 1 h, the reaction was cooled to rt,poured into H₂O (200 mL) and EtOAc (200 mL). The two layers wereseparated. The organic layer was extracted with H₂O (2×150 mL), driedover Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo. Purification via SiO₂,eluted with (2:1) hexanes:EtOAc gave 4.1 g, 46% yield ofhydroxyglucuronic ester C as a yellow syrup. R_(f)=0.61 (EtOAc); ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) 4.58-5.63 (m, 4H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 1.97-2.22 (m, 9H).

EXAMPLE 3

Formation of Trichloroacetimidate D

To a solution of hydroxyglucuronic ester C (11.1 g, 33.3 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂(100 mL) was added cesium carbonate (1.5 g, 4.7 mmol) andtrichloroacetonitrile (10 mL, 63 mmol) at rt under Ar. After 4 d ofstirring, H₂O (200 mL) and CHCl₃ (100 mL) were added to the suspension.The two layers were separated. The organic layer was extracted with H₂O(2×100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo.Purification via SiO₂, eluted with (1:1) hexanes:EtOAc gave 8.9 g, 58%of trichloroacetimidate D as an off-white solid. R_(f)=0.67 (EtOAc); ¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 8.78 (s, N-H), 6.63 (m, 1H), 5.63 (t, 1H, J=9.86 Hz), 5.27(t, 1H, J=10.0 Hz), 5.15 (dd, 1H, J=3.54, 10.2 Hz), 4.50 (d, 1H, J=10.2Hz), 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.02-2.12 (m, 9H).

The following 5-glucopyranoside conjugates and intermediates [Examples4-21] were prepared according to Schemes 5 and 6 as shown below.

EXAMPLE 4

Propanoic Acid, 2.2-Dimethyl-, 4-(1-oxo-2-bromo-propyl)phenyl Ester (19)

To a dilute solution of the 4′-pivalolyl propiophenone (22.4 g, 95.6mmol) in ether (1.2 L) at 0° C. was added slowly Br₂ (16.7 g, 105.2mmol). The reaction was run at 0° C. for 20 min and then allowed to roomtemperature for 45 min. The gradual disappearance of the bromine colorwas observed as the reaction went on at rt. The product has the same rfas the starting material in the TLC system 10% EtOAc/Hex. The reactionwas quenched with 10% solution of Na₂SO₃, washed with water, brine, anddried over MgSO₄. The product is a waxy solid and was used in the nextstep without purification (yield=30 g, 100%). mp=40-45° C.

EXAMPLE 5

2,2-Dimethyl-propionic Acid 4-(5-benzyloxy-3-methyl-1H-indol-2yl)phenylEster (20)

A solution of DMF (350 mL) containing bromo ketone 19 (44.82 g, 143mmol), para-benzyloxy aniline hydrochloride (37.1 g, 157.4 mmol, 1.1eq), Et₃N (31.85 g, 314.8 mmol, 2.2 eq) was heated to 130° C. for 1.5 hand the rxn followed by TLC (15% EtOAc/Hex). The intermediate productα-anilino propiophenone was observed as a more polar spot than theα-bromo 4′-pivaloyl propiophenone. After all of the starting materialwas consumed, at 130° C. the reaction solution was treated withadditional para-benzyloxy aniline hydrochloride (42 g, 177 mmol). Thereaction mixture was then heated for an additional 3.5 h at 130° C. Thereaction mixture was allowed to come to rt, washed with water (800 mL),extracted by EtOAc (3×300 mL), washed with brine, and dried over withMgSO₄. The organic layer was concentrated to give a crude product whichwas triturated with MeOH (3 times) to give a white solid (38 g, 64%):Mp=156-158° C.; ¹H NMR (DMSO) 11.0 (s, 1 H), 7.67 (d, 2 H, J=8.6 Hz),7.49 (d, 2 H, J=7.1 Hz), 7.43-7.29 (m, 3 H), 7.28-7.19 (m, 3 H), 7.12(d, 1 H, J=2.3 Hz), 6.83 (dd, 1 H, J=8.7 Hz, 2.3 Hz), 5.13 (s, 2 H),2.37 (s, 3 H), 1.33 (s, 9 H); MS 414 (M+H)+; IR (KBr) 3380, 2970, 1745cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 6

2,2-Dimethyl-propionic Acid4-{5-benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl Ester (23)

To a slurry of NaH (11.7 g, 60% dispersion in mineral oil, 0.292 mol,2.5 eq) in DMF (500 mL) at −25° C. was added dropwise a solution of the1-unsubstituted indole precursor 20 (48.3 g, 0.117 mol, 1 eq) in DME(500 mL) over a period of 50 min, and the reaction allowed to continuefor an hour at −25° C. for an additional hour. The indole anion was thentreated with a dropwise addition of a solution consisting of the sidechain 21 (51.0 g, 0.176 mol, 1.5 eq) in DMF (500 mL) over a period of 55minutes during which time the solution temperature was maintained at−25° C. The reaction was allowed to stir for an additional hour at −25°C. followed by 24 h at rt. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc(1.2 L), washed with brine (8×300 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ andconcentrated to give 92.8 g of a brown oil which was dissolved in theminimum amount of CH₂Cl₂ and chromatographed on silica gel (1 Kg) withCH₂Cl₂, then CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 98:2 and finally CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 96:4. The fractioneluted with CH₂Cl₂ contained unreacted starting material (14.5 g), andthe eluant from the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH fractions was concentrated to give thedesired product (36.7 g, 70%). ¹H NMR (DMSO) 7.52-7.45 (m, 2 H),7.43-7.36 (m, 4 H), 7.35-7.31 (m, 1 H) 7.28-7.20 (m, 3 H), 7.15 (d, 1 H,J=2.3 Hz), 6.84 (dd, 1 H, J=8.9 Hz, 2.4 Hz), 6.73 (s, 4 H), 5.18 (s, 2H), 5.13 (s, 2 H), 3.94 (t, 2 H, J=5.9 Hz), 2.56 (t, 2 H, J=5.9 Hz),2.41-2.35 (m, 4 H), 2.18 (s, 3 H), 1.51-1.42 (m, 4 H), 1.32 (s, 11 H);IR (KBr) 3410 (H₂O), 2930, 1750; MS 631.

EXAMPLE 7

2,2-Dimethyl-propionic Acid4-{5-benzyloxy-3-methl-1-[4-(2-hexamethyleneamine-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenylEster HCl (24)

The indole 20 (2.0 g, 4.84 mmol) was dissolved in DMF and cooled to 0°C. and treated with NaH (0.13 g, 5.32 mmol as a 60% dispersion inmineral oil). A separate flask containing the benzyl chloride 22 (2.0 g,6.57 mmol) in DMF was treated with NaH (0.17 g, 7.22 mmol as a 60%dispersion in mineral oil) at 0° C. The solution containing the benzylchloride was then transferred via syringe to the solution containing theindole anion. The reaction was maintained at 0° C. for 0.5 h thenallowed to rt and stirred for an additional 5 h. The reaction was workedup by partitioning the reaction mixture between water and EtOAc andwashing the EtOAc with brine and drying over MgSO₄. The solution wasconcentrated and chromatographed on SiO₂ (MeOH/CH₂Cl₂; 5:95) to yieldthe desired pdt as a foam (0.41 g). The foam was treated with a 1N HClsolution in Et₂O to render the product as a light yellow solid.

Mp=222-225° C.; ¹H NMR (DMSO) 10.17 (br s, 1 H), 7.95-7.22 (m, 10 H),7.16 (d, 1 H, J=2.3 Hz), 6.87-6.76 (m, 5 H), 5.22 (s, 2 H), 5.13 (s, 2H), 4.27 (t, 1 H, J=4.6 Hz), 3.47-3.37 (m, 4 H), 3.20-3.16 (m, 2 H),2.19 (s, 3 H), 1.85-1.73 (m, 4 H), 1.66-1.53 (m, 4 H), 1.32 (s, 9 H); MS(+) APCI 645 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 8

2,2-Dimethyl-propionic Acid4-{5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl Ester (25)

The protected indole 23 (61.8, 0.098 mol) was dissolved in THF/EtOH(0.35 L/0.35 L), and 10% Pd/C (7.0 g) was added. The mixture was thenhydrogenated at rt in a Parr apparatus at 50 psI for 30 h. The reactionwas then filtered through Siluflock and 0.62 g of ascorbic acid wasadded to the filtrate to minimize any potential oxidation. The cake ofSiluflock was washed with THF and the combined filtrates wereconcentrated to render a white solid which was washed with hexanes anddried to give 44.5 g of 25 (84%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR (DMSO) 8.76 (s, 1 H), 7.40 (d, 2 H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.22 (d, 2 H,J=7.8 Hz), 7.14 (d, 1 H, J=8.7 Hz), 6.84 (d, 1 H, J=1.6 Hz), 6.76-6.72(m, 4 H), 6.63 (dd, 1 H, J=8.7 Hz, 1.4 Hz), 5.14 (s, 2 H), 3.94 (t, 2 H,J=5.8 Hz), 2.57 (t, 2 H, J=6.0 Hz), 2.42-2.33 (m, 4 H), 2.14 (s, 3 H),1.50-1.39 (m, 4 H), 1.32 (s, 11 H); IR (KBr) 3400, 2900, 1750 cm⁻¹; MS540.

EXAMPLE 9

2.2-Dimethyl-propionic Acid4-{5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethox)benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl-Ester (26)

Compound 26 was prepared according to the procedure of Example 25, as afoam. IR (KBr) 3410, 2920, 1750 cm⁻¹; MS 555.

EXAMPLE 10

2,3,4-Triacetyl-{1-O-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-[4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyloxy)-phenyl]-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl}-glucuronic AcidMethyl Ester (27)

To a mixture of the 5-hydroxyindole cpd 25 (31.2 g, 0.058 mol, 1 eq),trichloroacetimidate D [150607-95-7](33.2 g, 0.069 mol, 1.2 eq) andmolecular sieves (3 A, 28 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.5 L) was added BF₃.OEt₂ (16.5g, 0.116 mol, 2 eq) dropwise at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at rt for24 h. The mixture was filtered, quenched with conc. aq. NaHCO₃ (1 L),the organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ andevaporated to give 50.7 g of a yellow foam. The material waschromatographed on silica gel (2 Kg, column d=15 cm, eluant EtOAc/Et₃N9:1, 100 mL/3min, 125 mL fractions) to yield the desired product 27 as afoam. ¹H NMR (DMSO) 7.42 (d, 2 H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.31 (d, 1 H, J=8.9 Hz),7.23 (d, 2 H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.18 (d, 1 H, J=2.2 Hz), 6.82 (dd, 1 H, J=8.8Hz, 2.3 Hz), 6.79-6.68 (m,4 H), 5.59 (d, 1 H, J=8.0 Hz), 5.47 (t, 1 H,J=9.6 Hz), 5.20 (s, 2 H), 5.15-5.03 (m, 2 H), 4.67(d, 1 H, J=9.9 Hz),3.94 (t,2H, J=5.9 Hz), 3.65 (s,3 H), 2.58(t, 2 H, J=5.7 Hz), 2.43-2.35(m, 4 H), 2.18 (s, 3 H), 2.06 (s, 3 H), 2.01 (s, 3 H), 2.00 (s, 3 H),1.51-1.42 (m, 4 H), 1.32 (s, 11 H); IR (KBr) 2910, 1752 cm⁻¹; MS 857(M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 11

2,3,4-Triacetyl-{1O-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-[4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyloxy)-phenyl]-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl}-glucuronicAcid Methyl Ester (28)

The same procedure used for the preparation of compound 27 supra wasused for compound 28. Purification via SiO₂, eluted with (20:1)CHCl₃:CH₃OH gave 1.2 g, 82% of glycoside 6 as a brown foam. R_(f)=0.21(20:1 CHCl₃:CH₃OH); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 6.6-7.4 (m, 11H), 5.0-5.4 (m, 6H),4.0-4.2 (m, 3H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 2.8-3.2 (m, 6H), 2.2 (s, 3H), 2.0-2.2 (m,9H), 1.4-1.8 (m, 8H), 1.4 (s, 9H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) 176.9, 170.1, 170.0,169.9, 169.6, 169.3, 169.2, 168.5, 167.0, 157.6, 151.1, 150.8, 138.1,133.7, 131.3, 130.4, 129.1, 128.9, 127.1, 121.5, 114.6, 113.7, 110.7,109.2, 107.2, 101.1, 90.2, 72.6, 72.1, 71.7, 71.0, 69.7, 69.3, 67.8,65.5, 56.0, 55.5, 52.8, 52.6, 47.1, 39.1, 27.0, 26.9, 26.6, 20.6, 20.5,20.4, 9.3; LC/MS (ESI) retention time=15.9, M+H⁺=871.4.

EXAMPLE 12

1-[4-(2-Piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol5-O-glucuronide triethylammonium salt (29)

A solution consisting of indole precursor 27 (29.8 g, 0.0385 mol) indioxane/MeOH/H₂O (200 mL/100 mL/100 mL) and LiOH.H₂O (12.95 g, 0.31 mol,8 eq) was stirred at 60° C. for 2 h. AcOH (18.5 mL) was added and themixture was evaporated to give 53.6 g of the crude solid. The materialwas slurried with water (500 mL) for 2 h, filtered, washed with water,and dried to give 24.1 g of the crude product. This material wasdissolved in MeOH/Et₃N (100 mL/5.3 mL) and ether (2L) was used toprecipitate the salt as a white solid which was filtered, washed withether and dried under vacuum to give 29 (27 g, 99%): ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ6.99 (m, 11 H), 5.11 (br s, 1H), 5.00 (d, 1 H, J=1.5 Hz), 3.99 (t, 2 H),3.66 (d, 1 H, J=1.5 Hz), 3.26 (m,2 H), 2.92 (q, 6 H), 2.74 (t, 2 H),2.52 (br s, 4 H), 2.1 (s, 3 H), 1.50 (br s, 4 H), 1.37 (br s, 2 H), 1.08(t, 9 H).

EXAMPLE 13

1-[4-(2-Azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol5-O-glucuronide (30)

To a solution of indole glycoside precursor 28 (2.8 g, 3.3 mmol) in(2:1:1) p-dioxane:MeOH:H₂O (52 mL) was added solid LiOH.H₂O (1.5 g, 36mmol) at rt under Ar. The suspension was heated to 65° C. After 1.5 h,glacial acetic acid (1.5 mL) was added. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo. Purification via SiO₂, eluted with (20:1:2)CH₃CN:HOAc:H₂O followed by (10:1:2) CH₃CN:HOAc:H₂O gave a brown syrup.Addition of H₂O (30 mL) followed by MeOH (10 mL) to the brown syrup gavean light brown suspension. This was filtered and air-dried to give 840mg, 40% of glucuronide 30 as a light brown solid. R_(f)=0.24 (10:1:2CH₃CN:HOAc:H₂O); HPLC retention time=23.2 min with 95 area %, at 220 nm;¹H NMR (DMSO) 6.8-7.2 (m, 7H), 6.7 (s, 4H), 5.1 (br s, OH), 4.8 (d, 1H,J=5.5 Hz), 3.9 (t, 2H, J=4.5 Hz), 3.1-3.6 (m, 8H), 2.77 (t, 2H, J=4.5Hz), 2.5-2.7 (m, 4H), 2.1 (s, 3H), 1.5 (s, 8H); ¹³C NMR (DMSO) 172.3,157.5, 157.4, 151.7, 138.5, 132.2, 131.3, 130.4, 128.6, 127.2, 121.7,115.4, 114.3, 112.9, 110.5, 107.2, 105.6, 102.3, 76.6, 73.9, 73.3, 72.1,66.1, 56.0, 55.1, 40.1, 39.9, 39.7, 39.5, 39.3, 39.1, 38.9, 27.8, 26.5,9.4; IR (KBr): ν_(max) 3424, 2928, 1612, 1510, 1475, 1444, 1238, 1099,1065, 1039, 1020, 917, 840 cm⁻¹; LC/MS (ESI) retention time=9.0,M+H⁺=647.3.

EXAMPLE 14

4-{5-Benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenol(31)

A mixture of the substituted indole 23 (61.8 g, 0.098 mol, 1 eq) andLiOH.H₂O (8.5 g, 0.202 mol, 2.1 eq) in dioxane/MeOH/H₂O (300 mL, 150 mL,150 mL) was stirred at 60° C. for 2 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and12.1 mL of AcOH was added in order to adjust the pH to approximately 7.Then water (600 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂(6×150 mL), the organic phase was washed with conc. Aq. Na₂CO₃, H₂O,brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, and evaporated to give 31 (51.6 g, 97%) as ayellow foam: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.07 (m, 19 H), 6.10 (s, 2 H), 5.03 (s, 2H), 4.03 (t, 2 H), 2.8 (t, 2 H), 2.53 (br s, 4 H), 2.21 (s, 3 H), 1.63(t, 4 H), 1.43 (br s, 2 H).

EXAMPLE 15

4-{5-Benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenol(32)

Compound 32 was synthesized analogously to compound 31: ¹H NMR (DMSO) δ9.83 (br s, 1 H), 7.49-7.29 (m, 5 H), 7.21-7.09 (m, 4 H), 6.89-6.73 (m,7 H), 5.15 (s, 2 H), 5.11 (s, 2 H), 4.04 (t, 2 H, J=7.1 Hz), 2.77 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz), 2.65-2.60 (m, 4 H), 2.15 (s, 3 H), 1.51 (br s, 8 H).

EXAMPLE 16

2,3,4-O-Triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicAcid Methyl Ester (33)

To a mixture of indole 31 (35.6 g, 0.065 mol, 1 eq),trichloroacetimidate D [150607-95-7](37.4 g, 0.078 mol, 1.3 eq) andmolecular sieves (3A, 28 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (500 mL) was added BF₃.OEt₂ (18.45g, 0.13 mol, 2 eq) dropwise at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at rt for48 h. The mixture was filtered and then quenched with conc. aq. NaHCO₃(1 L), the organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄and evaporated to give 65.4 g of a yellow foam. The foam was flashchromatographed on silica gel (2 Kg, column d=15 cm) using EtOAc/Et₃N(9:1) to yield 33 (34.5 g, 59%) of the desired compound: MS 863 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 17

2,3,4-O-Triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicAcid Methyl Ester (34)

Compound was prepared in a similar fashion to that described for 33supra: R_(f)=0.21 (20:1 CHCl₃:CH₃OH); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 6.6-7.7 (m, 16 H),5.1-5.5 (m, 8H), 4.2-4.4 (m, 3H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.0-3.4 (m, 6H), 2.23 (s,3H), 2.0-2.2 (m, 8H), 1.9 (m, 4H), 1.7 (m, 4H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) 170.1,169.4, 169.3, 166.9, 156.9, 156.3, 153.3, 137.7, 132.2, 131.8, 131.4,128.5, 127.7, 127.6, 127.3, 116.9, 114.7, 112.6, 110.9, 108.8, 102.5,98.9, 72.7, 71.8, 71.1, 71.0, 69.1, 64.1, 55.9, 55.2, 53.0, 47.0, 26.9,24.8, 20.6, 20.5, 20.4, 9.5; IR (KBr): ν_(max) 3435, 2934, 2862, 1756,1612, 1510, 1372, 1226, 1176, 1041, 828 cm⁻¹; LC/MS (ESI) retentiontime=16.1, M+H⁺=877.

EXAMPLE 18

2,3,4-O-Triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicAcid Methyl Ester (35)

Glycosidated indole 33 (34 g, 0.039 mol) in 400 mL THF/MeOH (1:1) wastreated with 10% Pd/C (5.4 g) and hydrogenated in a Parr apparatus at 50psi for 30 h. The mixture was filtered through Siluflock and 0.34 g ofL-Ascorbic acid was added to the filtrate. The cake of Siluflock waswashed with THF and the combined filtrates were concentrated to yieldproduct 35 (29.8 g, 98%) as a yellowish-white solid: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ6.95 (m, 11 H), 5.34 (m, 2 H), 5.14 (d, 1 H, J=2 Hz), 5.01 (s, 2 H),4.21 (m, 1 H), 4.06 (t, 2 H), 2.83 (t, 2 H), 2.62 (br s, 4 H), 2.13 (s,3 H), 1.65 (t, 4 H), 1.44 (br s, 2 H).

EXAMPLE 19

2,3,4-O-Triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicAcid Methyl Ester (36)

Glycosidated indole 34 (3.7 g, 4.2 mmol) in 60 mL THF/MeOH (1:1) wastreated with 10% Pd/C (1.5 g) and hydrogenated in a Parr apparatus at 40psi for 23 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through a bed of Celiteand the filter cake was washed with THF (20 mL) and EtOH (20 mL). Toavoid any air oxidation, L-ascorbic acid (0.37 g) was added to thefiltered solution. The solution was concentrated and chromatographed onsilica gel using CHCl₃/i-PrOH (7:1) to render the product 35 (1.6 g,48%) as a brown foam: R_(f)=0.20 (7:1 CHCl₃:iPrOH); ¹H NMR (DMSO)6.5-7.5 (m, 11H), 5.7 (d, 1H, J=7.9 Hz), 5.5 (t, 1H, J=9.6 Hz), 4.9-5.2(m, 4H), 4.7 (d, 1H, J=9.9 Hz), 3.6 (s, 3H), 3.3 (s, 8H), 2.1 (s, 3H),1.9-2.2 (m, 9H), 1.5-1.9 (m, 8H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) 170.0, 169.0, 167.0,157.0, 156.5, 150.0, 138.0, 131.7, 131.6, 130.0, 127.3, 116.9, 114.7,112.0, 111.0, 108.0, 104.5, 98.8, 72.6, 71.8, 71.1, 69.1, 64.4, 55.0,55.2, 53.0, 47.0, 26.7, 23.6, 20.6, 20.5, 9.5; IR (KBr): ν_(max) 3427,3037, 2935, 2612, 1757, 1612, 1510, 1462, 1374, 1227, 1040 cm⁻¹; LC/MS(ESI) retention time=13.0, M+H⁺=787.

EXAMPLE 20

2-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-5-ol4-O-Glucuronide Triethyl Ammonium Salt (37)

Glycosidated indole 35 (25 g, 0.029 mol, 1 eq) and LiOH.H₂O (12.3 g,0.29 mol, 10 eq) in 300 ml of dioxane/MeOH/H₂O (2/1/1) was stirred at60° C. for 2 h. The mixture was allowed to cool to rt and AcOH (13.5 mL)was added. The solution was concentrated to yield 44.3 g of a yellowfoam. This foam was washed with water and the residue dried and thendissolved in 160 mL of MeOH/Et₃N (15/1) and the resultant solutionconcentrated to give the crude material which was redissolved in MeOH(100 mL) at 40° C. and a white precipitate fell out of solution almostimmediately. The precipitate was filtered, washed with MeOH and driedunder vacuum to render 9.7 g of 37 (78%) as a white solid: ¹H NMR (DMSO)δ 7.16 (m, 4 H), 6.86 (d, 2 H, J=2.8 Hz), 6.81 (m, 1 H), 6.74 (s, 4 H),5.15 (s, 2 H), 4.90 (d, 1 H, J=2.0 Hz), 3.98 (m, 2 H), 3.70 (d, 1 H,J=2.0 Hz), 3.32 (m, 3 H), 2.78 (t, 2 H), 2.58 (br s, 4 H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 1.51 (br s, 4 H), 1.38 (br s, 2 H).

EXAMPLE 21

1-[4-(2-Azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol4-O-glucuronide (38)

To a solution of the indole glycoside 36 (2.8 g, 3.3 mmol) in (2:1:1)dioxane:MeOH:H₂O (52 mL) was added solid LiOH.H₂O (1.5 g, 36 mmol) at rtunder Ar. The suspension was heated to 65° C. After 1.5 h, glacialacetic acid (1.5 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was concentrated invacuo. Purification via SiO₂, eluted with (20:1:2) CH₃CN:HOAc:H₂Ofollowed by (10:1:2) CH₃CN:HOAc:H₂O gave a brown syrup. Addition of H₂O(30 mL) followed by MeOH (10 mL) to the brown syrup gave an light brownsuspension. This was filtered and air-dried to give 840 mg, 40% ofglucuronide 38 as a light brown solid. R_(f)=0.24 (10:1:2CH₃CN:HOAc:H₂O); HPLC retention time=23.2 min with 95 area %, at 220 nm;¹H NMR (DMSO) 6.8-7.2 (m, 7H), 6.7 (s, 4H), 5.1 (br s, OH), 4.8 (d, 1H,J=5.5 Hz), 3.9 (t, 2H, J=4.5 Hz), 3.1-3.6 (m, 8H), 2.77 (t, 2H, J=4.5Hz), 2.5-2.7 (m, 4H), 2.1 (s, 3H), 1.5 (s, 8H); ¹³C NMR (DMSO) 172.3,157.5, 157.4, 151.7, 138.5, 132.2, 131.3, 130.4, 128.6, 127.2, 121.7,115.4, 114.3, 112.9, 110.5, 107.2, 105.6, 102.3, 76.6, 73.9, 73.3, 72.1,66.1, 56.0, 55.1, 40.1, 39.9, 39.7, 39.5, 39.3, 39.1, 38.9, 27.8, 26.5,9.4; IR (KBr): ν_(max) 3424, 2928, 1612, 1510, 1475, 1444, 1238, 1099,1065, 1039, 1020, 917, 840 cm⁻¹; LC/MS (ESI) retention time=9.0,M+H⁺=647.3.

The bis-glucuronide, compounds 46 and 47 [Examples 22-26], were preparedaccording to Scheme 7 as shown below.

EXAMPLE 22

5-Benzyloxy-2-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indole (39)

The bromoketone CAS No. [66414-19-5] (50.0 g, 0.16 mol) in 200 mL DMFwas treated with the 4-benzyloxyaniline hydrochloride CAS No.[51145-58-5] (44 g, 0.22 mol) and the reaction purged with nitrogen forabout 10 minutes. The triethylamine (54.6 mL) was added and the reactionwas heated at 120° C. for 2 hours. TLC analysis (EtOAc/hexanes) showsthe starting material disappeared forming a more polar spot. Thereaction mixture was allowed to cool down and an additional 48 g of theaniline hydrochloride was added. The reaction was heated to 150° C. for2 hours. An additional 5 grams of the aniline hydrochloride was addedand the reaction was heated at 150° C. for an additional 30 minutes. Thereaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and then pouredinto approximately 1.5 liters of water and extracted with 2 liters ofethyl acetate. Solids are dissolved with additional ethyl acetate asnecessary. The ethyl acetate layer is washed with 1 liter of 1 N NaOHsolution aq., 1 liter of water, brine, then dried over magnesium sulfateand filtered. The organic layers were concentrated down to yield a crudesolid which was stirred with 500 mL of methanol and filtered. This solidwas then stirred with 500 mL of ethyl ether and filtered. The solid wasstirred alternatively with methanol and ether until it is of whitishcolor. Reaction yields 36 g of product: Mp=150-152° C.; ¹H NMR (DMSO) δ10.88 (s, 1 H), 7.56 (d, 2 H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.48 (d, 4 H, J=7.9 Hz),7.42-7.29 (m, 6 H), 7.21 (d, 1 H, J=7.0 Hz), 7.13 (d, 2 H, J=8.8 Hz),7.08 (d, 1 H, J=2.2 Hz), 6.94 (dd, 1 H, J=8.8, 2.4 Hz), 5.16 (s, 2 H),5.11 (s, 2 H), 2.33 (s, 3 H); IR (KBr) 3470, 2880, 2820, 1620 cm⁻¹; MSeI m/z 419.

EXAMPLE 23

5-Benzyloxy-2-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azopan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indole(44)

To a slurry of NaH (20.0 g, 60% oil dispersion, 0.5 mol, 2.5 eq.)solution of 5-Benzyloxy-2-(4-benzyloxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indole (84 g,0.2 mol, 1.0 eq.) in DMF (100 mL) was added at 0/+10° C. over 1 h. Thereaction mixture was stirred for 30 min. A solution of thebenzylchloride (synthesis shown in scheme 7 and details given in thefollowing experimental) (67 g, 0.22 mol, 1.1 eq.) in DME (200 mL) wasadded dropwise at 0/+10° C. over 2 h. The reaction mixture was stirredat 25° C. for 2 h. TLC at this point showed no starting material, mostlyproduct (EtOAc/hexane 1:5). The reaction mixture was diluted with water(1 L), extracted with EtOAc (3×1 L), and dried over MgSO₄. The solutionwas concentrated to 150 mL, poured in MeOH (750 mL), and stirredovernight. The precipitate was filtered and dried to give the titlecompound (99 g , 76%): Mp=106-107° C.; ¹H NMR (DMSO) δ 7.47 (d, 4 H,J=8.3 Hz), 7.41-7.36 (m, 4 H), 7.36-7.30 (m, 2 H), 7.29 (d, 2 H, J=8.8Hz), 7.19 (d, 1 H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.14-7.10 (m, 3 H), 6.80 (dd, 1 H, J=8.8Hz), 6.73 (s, 4 H), 5.15 (s, 2 H), 5.13 (s, 2 H), 5.11 (s, 2 H), 3.90(t, 2 H, J=5.9 Hz), 2.76 (t, 2 H, J=5.9 Hz), 2.64-2.56 (m, 4 H), 2.15(s, 3 H), 1.58-1.44 (m, 8 H); MS FAB m/z 651 (M+H+).

EXAMPLE 24

1-[4-(2-Azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol(45)

A solution consisting of indole 44 (17.5 g, 26.9 mmol) in THF/EtOH (1:1)was hydrogenated under an atmosphere of H₂ using 10% Pd/C as a catalyst.Chromatography on silica gel CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (gradient from 100/0 to 85/15)yields the desired product as 8.5 g of white foam along with 2.5 g of afraction containing small impurities. Although the free base is thematerial used in the next step (bis-glucuronidation), for purposes ofcharacterization and enhancing the compounds shelf life an acid additionsalt may be made with HCl by dissolving the compound in MeOH andtreating with 1.1 eq of a 2 N aq HCl solution. The compound slowlyprecipitates out as white crystals. Physical data listed below describesthe HCl salt of indole 45:

Mp=172-174° C.; ¹H NMR (DMSO) 10.11 (br s, 1 H), 9.70 (s, 1 H), 8.71 (s,1 H); 7.15 (d, 2 H, J=8.6 Hz), 7.05 (d, 1 H, J=8.8 Hz), 6.85 (d, 2 H,J=8.8 Hz), 6.80-6.77 (m, 5 H), 6.56 (dd, 1 H, J=8.8 Hz, 2.2 Hz), 5.11(s, 2 H), 4.26 (t, 2 H, J=4.6 Hz), 3.48-3.30 (m, 4 H), 3.22-3.08 (m, 2H), 2.09 (s, 3 H), 1.83-1.76 (m, 4 H), 1.67-1.48 (m, 4 H); IR (KBr) 3500br, 3250 br, 2900, 1610; MS FAB m/z 471 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 25

2,3,4-O-Triacetyl-1-O-[4-[1-[4-[2-(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzyl]-3-methyl-5-[(2,3,4-O-triacaetyl-6-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranuronylosyl)oxyl-1H-indol-2-yl]phenyl]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronicAcid Methyl Ester (46)

A mixture consisting of the bis-phenolic indole 45 (2.5 g, 5.3 mmol) andthe glucuronyl imnidate D (5.60 g, 11.7 mmol, 2.2 eq) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL)was treated with slow addition of the BF₃.OEt₂ (1.43 mL, 11.7 mmol, 2.2eq) while stirring the reaction mixture vigorously. After the addition,the reaction was heated to reflux for 2.5 h. Some of the startingmaterial remained stuck to the bottom of the flask throughout thereaction. The reaction was worked-up by adding additional CH₂Cl₂, and asmall amount of MeOH and washing the organic layer with water, brine anddrying over MgSO₄. The crude material was purified by chromatography onsilica gel with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (95/5) to yield the protectedbis-glucuronide 46 (0.95 g): Mp=110-116° C.; ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 7.36 (d,2 H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.25 (d, 1 H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.16-7.10 (m, 3 H), 6.79 (dd, 1H, J=8.9Hz, 2.0 Hz), 6.75 (br s, 4 H), 5.74 (d, 1 H, J=7.7 Hz), 5.58 (d,1 H, J=8.0 Hz), 5.47 (dt, 2 H, J=9.5 Hz, 2.3 Hz), 5.18 (br s, 2 H),5.15-5.04 (m, 4 H), 4.73 (d, 1 H, J=9.9 Hz), 4.66 (d, 1 H, J=10.0 Hz),3.93 (t, 2 H, J=5.8 Hz), 3.64 (s, 3 H), 3.636 (s, 3 H), 2.81-2.60 (m, 6H), 2.16 (s, 3 H), 2.05 (s, 3 H), 2.03 (s, 3 H), 2.02 (s, 3 H), 2.00 (brs, 9 H), 1.61-1.47 (m, 8 H); MS 1103.7 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 26

4-[5-(beta-D-Glucopyranuronosyloxy)-1-[4-[2-(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzyl]-3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl]phenyl-beta-D-FlucopyranosiduronicAcid (47)

The protected indole bis-glucuronide 46 (0.89 g, 0.81 mmol, 1 eq) wasdissolved in 24 mL of p-dioxane/MeOH (5/1) and treated with a slowaddition of 24 mL of an aqueous LiOH (0.31 g, 12.9 mmol, 12 eq)solution. The reaction was heated to 60° C. for 2 h. After allowing thereaction to come to rt, AcOH was added (0.97 g, 16.1 mmol, 20 eq) andthe solution concentrated under reduced pressure. Benzene was added andthis process repeated a couple of times in order to azeotrope anyresidual water from the reaction mixture. The crude residue was purifiedby reverse phase HPLC to yield the desired product 47 (0.294 g): ¹H NMR(DMSO-d₆) δ 7.31 (d, 1 H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.22 (d, 2 H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.19 (brs, 1H), 7.09 (d, 2 H, J=8.4 Hz), 6.90 (d, 1 H, J=8.7 Hz), 6.75-6.64 (m,4 H), 5.45-5.35 (m, 2 H), 5.28-5.10 (m,4 H), 4.99-4.93 (m, 2 H),4.87-4.83 (m, 2 H), 4.10-3.00 (several protons buried under H₂O peak),2.13 (s, 3 H), 1.70 (br s, 4 H), 1.56 (br s, 4 H); MS 823 (M+H⁺).

The preparation of side chain 22 is shown in Scheme 8, as providedbelow. Side chain 21 was prepared analogously.

EXAMPLE 27

4-(2-hexamethyleneimine-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl Aldehyde (40)

To a well-stirred slurry of NaH (65 g, 60% oil dispersion, 1.6 mol, 2.2eq.) in DME (500 mL) a solution of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde hydrochloride(90 g, 0.74 mol, 1.0 eq.) is added dropwise at 0° C. The reactionmixture is stirred for 30 min, then4-[2-(hexamethyleneimino)]ethylchloride (153 g, 0.77 mol, 1.0 eq.) isadded in portions. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 h. TLC at thispoint shows little starting material, mostly product (EtOAc/hexane 1:1).The reaction mixture is diluted with water (1 L), and extracted withether (5 L). The organic layer is dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated ona rotary evaporator to give 176.8 g (97%) of aldehyde 40 as a yellowoil.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃/TMS): δ 9.87 (s, 1H), 7.81 (d, 2H, J=8.7 Hz), 7.02 (d, 2H,J=8.7 Hz), 4.14 (t, 2H, J=6.09 Hz), 2.98 (t, 2H, J=6.14 Hz), 2.78 (m,4H), 1.66-1.61 (m, 8H).

EXAMPLE 28

4-(2-hexamethyleneimine -1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl Alcohol (41)

To a stirred solution of the aldehyde 40 (200 g, 0.72 mol, 1.0 eq.) inmethanol (400 mL) at 0/+5° C. sodium borohydride (15.6 g, 0.41 mol, 0.57eq.) is added in portions. The reaction is stirred for 30 min. TLC atthis point shows no starting material, mostly product(EtOAc/hexane/triethylamine 3:7:1). The reaction mixture is diluted withwater (400 mL), extracted with methylene chloride (3×400 mL), and driedover MgSO₄. The solution is concentrated on a rotary evaporator to give201 g (100%) of the alcohol 41 as a thick oil: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃/TMS): 7.27(d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz), 6.87 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz), 4.60 (s, 2H), 4.05 (t, 2H,J=6.21 Hz), 2.93 (t, 2H, J=6.15 Hz), 2.77 (m, 4H), 1.7-1.5 (m, 8H).

EXAMPLE 29

(4-Chloromethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl-hexamethyleneimine-1-yl Hydrochloride(22)

To a solution of the alcohol 41 (179 g, 0.72 mol, 1 eq.) in THF (300 mL)a solution of HCl (26.3 g of HCl in 263 mL of THF, 0.72 mol, 1.0 eq.) isadded dropwise at 0/+10° C. A white precipitate is formed. Thionylchloride (80 mL, 1.1 mol, 1.5 eq.) is added to the thick slurry of thehydrochloride 42, and the mixture is heated to 50° C. until clear. Thereaction mixture is concentrated to 350 mL, and kept in refrigeratorovernight. The white solid obtained is filtered, washed with cold THF(100 mL), and dried to give 147 g (67%) of chloride 22: ¹H NMR(DMSO-d₆): 11 (br s, HCl), 7.40 (d, 2H, J=8.6 Hz), 7.00 (d, 2H, J=8.6Hz), 4.74 (s, 2H), 4.44 (t, 2H, J=5.25), 3.64-3.39 (m, 4H), 3.25-3.17(m, 2H), 1.84-1.54 (m, 8H).

EXAMPLE 30

(4-Chloromethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl-piperidin-1-yl Hydrochloride (21)

The side chain 21 was prepared analogously to side chain 22 describedsupra: ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 11 (br s, HCl), 7.39 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz), 6.99(d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz), 4.74 (s, 211), 4.46 (m, 2H), 3.45 (m, 4H), 2.69 (m,2H) and 1.9-1.2 (m, 6H).

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I having the structure

wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently, hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6carbon atoms, benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, benzoyl,

X is hydrogen, alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, CN, halogen, trifluoromethyl,or thioalkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms; n=1-3; with the proviso that at leastone of R₁ or R₂ are not hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6 carbon atoms,benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, or benzoyl; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-triacetyl-{1-O-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-[4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyloxy)-phenyl]-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl}-glucuronicacid methyl ester or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-triacetyl-{1-O-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-[4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyloxy)-phenyl]-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl}-glucuronicacid methyl ester or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol5-O-glucuronide triethylammonium salt.
 5. The compound according toclaim 1, which is1-[4-(2-Azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol5-O-glucuronide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-O-triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicacid methyl ester or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-O-triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-benzyloxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicacid methyl ester or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-O-triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronic acid methyl ester or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 9. The compound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-O-triacetyl-1-O-(4-{5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-2-yl}-phenyl)-beta-D-glucuronicacid methyl ester or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-5-ol4-O-glucuronide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-1H-indol-5-ol4-O-glucuronide triethyl ammonium salt.
 12. The compound according toclaim 1, which is1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-indol-5-ol4-O-glucuronide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is2,3,4-O-triacetyl-1-O-[4-[1-[4-[2-(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzyl]-3-methyl-5-[(2,3,4-O-triacaetyl-6-O-methyl-beta-D-glucopyranuronylosyl)oxy]-1H-indol-2-yl]phenyl]-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronicacid methyl ester or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. Thecompound according to claim 1, which is4-[5-(beta-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy)-1-[4-[2-(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)ethoxy]benzyl]-3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl]phenyl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronicacid.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition, which comprises a compound offormula I having the structure

wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently, hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6carbon atoms, benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, benzoyl,

X is hydrogen, alkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms, CN, halogen, trifluoromethyl,or thioalkyl of 1-6 carbon atoms; n=1-3; with the proviso that at leastone of R₁ or R₂ are not hydrogen, alkyl chain of 1-6 carbon atoms,benzyl, acyl of 2-7 carbon atoms, or benzoyl; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical carrier.